Blake and Jordan Blankenbecler’s Belle Meade Wedding

As the story often goes, a mutual friend is to thank for connecting Blake Snyder and Jordan Blankenbecler. A late summer party centered around a shrimp boil brought Blake and Jordan together. New to town, Blake tagged along with a girlfriend — not knowing it would be the day she met her future husband. “He complimented my shoes (leopard print high top Superga sneakers), got me a drink and made me laugh. I was intrigued,” Blake remembers. As summer turned to fall, the pair began spending more time together discussing everything from recently read books to Thai food. “He was so kind and so funny and I always felt completely myself around him,” Blake shares. Early in their courtship, Jordan planned a date to Leiper’s Fork, and a year later this is where he would bring Blake to propose.

“It is seriously one of the most intimately beautiful places,” Blake says of Leiper’s Fork’s David Arms Gallery, where the proposal took place. “You are transported to a different world the minute you walk in there and it’s magical. David is one of Jordan’s mentors, so when he started thinking about proposing, David suggested he use the gallery because it was so special to both of us. Jordan told me a few weeks before that David was having a friends and family gallery opening, and we were invited. This wasn’t uncommon, so I put it on the calendar and thought nothing of it. On December 3, 2016, with a little over a year of dating, we drove out to the gallery. He opened the door and the place was dimly lit and the most breathtakingly beautiful version of “Silent Night” was playing. Our favorite bottle of wine and communion was set up on the table along with a ring box. I finally started catching on to what was happening, and I was still so shocked! He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I squealed ‘yes!’ We were over the moon!”

The happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Blankenbecler!

When it came to the wedding venue, Blake and Jordan chose Belle Meade Plantation. “We loved that while it was still in Nashville, it felt hidden and tucked away,” Blake explains. Known for its history as an old Southern plantation, the venue boasts Southern charm and beauty. “One of the reasons we were drawn to Belle Meade was how green and lush everything was,” Blake continues. “The magnolias were in full bloom on our wedding day, and it was stunning. With it being June and an outdoor wedding, there was some fear it would rain. There were no clouds in the sky that day, and the temperature stayed in the low 80s all day. I remember the light was magical all day long — especially during our ceremony. One guest told us our ceremony felt like we were all in the Garden of Eden. It just felt really sacred and beautiful.”

On Saturday, June 10, 2017, love filled the air.

It took six stores and dozens of tries for Blake to find the perfect dress. But the moment she saw it, she knew it was the one. “I wanted a dress with some type of straps or sleeves on them that wasn’t over the top or poofy and huge. I adored how whimsical and beautiful this dress was with the really delicate beading all over the bodice and the fun, flowy tulle as the skirt. It felt like me the moment I put it on! I knew I wouldn’t have to mess with it the whole day, and I just felt really feminine and lovely in it. A big sigh of relief and collective celebrating happened as I said ‘YES’!”

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Ready to wed, Jordan ties his bowtie.

Jordan seeing his then-fiancé/soon-to-be wife in her wedding gown.

In her journal, Blake wrote: When I dream of my husband, I dream of a man who calls forth sacred space for my heart to play. I dream of a man who sees beauty in brokenness. I dream of a man who will hold my heart and my story with a gentle tenderness. I dream of a man who utterly trembles in God’s presence.

This melted our hearts and gave us a quick glimpse into Blake’s beautiful mind.

Blake read the words of her journal to Jordan before they made their way to the altar.

After a first look, the pair met at the altar to exchange traditional vows. “We both agreed that we valued the timelessness of traditional vows that we took from the Anglican tradition,” Blake says of their decision. Donning the beaded dress of her dreams and hightop sneakers, Blake carried a simple bouquet in hues of green and white and was surrounded by five bridesmaids in shades of blue. The ceremony took place under a canopy of trees, with nearly 200 guests as witnesses. “Jordan and I didn’t want a huge, huge wedding, and we wanted our wedding to be just as much a celebration for our family and friends who have raised us, loved us and made us who we are today,” Blake shares.

It was only fitting that Blake wore high-top sneakers on her big day.

“Something old: A handkerchief from my grandmother on my dad’s side (whom I never got to meet) was tied around my bouquet of flowers. Something new: My dress and my veil! Something borrowed: I wore my mom’s gold Roberto Coin baby cross necklace. Something blue: I had some very fun navy blue socks I wore with my high-top sneakers”

Blake’s dad walked her down the aisle — and both were understandably teary-eyed.

The stunning setting made the wedding even more spectacular.

Blake and Jordan say “I do!”

Officially Mr. and Mrs. Blankenbecler!

The newlyweds were beaming!

Surrounded by friends, Blake and Jordan made their way to the reception.

Beautiful bridesmaids wore shades of blue.

The men looked dashing.

A quick stop on the porch before the festivities began.

Husband and wife!

After the ceremony, guests made their way to the reception, which kicked off with a cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner, which was followed by dancing. Greenery set the tone for the space. “I had a friend do our flowers, and I wanted whites, greens and some light pinks,” Blake explains. “I picked those so they would pop against the darker greens of the magnolia leaves, since those were all around the property. We actually used magnolia leaves as place settings! I wanted the decor to feel natural, simple and elegant. Everything was to accentuate the beauty that was already there!”

Sitting down to dinner was really important to Blake. Long tables were arranged to create an atmosphere where the guests could enjoy a meal with good company, good food and good drinks. “This day was just as much about celebrating [the guests] as it was the beginning of our life together! Getting to pause, sit down and enjoy a feast with our people around us was one of my favorite moments of the night.”

After dinner, Blake and Jordan shared their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Blankenbecler to “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake, a nod to Jordan’s love of whiskey and to Tennessee, where their love story began. The rest of the night was spent on the dance floor, surrounded by the ones they love.

In addition to the wedding cake, guests were treated to three different flavored macarons and mini banana pudding desserts.

Vanilla pound cake, Blake’s childhood favorite, was the cake flavor.

Guests were encouraged to unplug for the evening.

As the sun set, guests sat down to dinner.

Simple table settings didn’t detract from the venue, but rather added to its natural beauty.

Sharing a sit-down meal with family and friends was important to Blake and Jordan and turned out to be a highlight of the wedding.

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Everyone raised a glass in honor of the newlyweds.

“Jordan said the most memorable was dancing with our friends and family and celebrating! I’d have to say the same,” Blake shares. “I’ve never had more fun dancing with the people we both love most in this world! It was so lively and fun, and we were a sweaty mess but we didn’t care one bit. The sneakers that I wore also came in handy — my feet could have kept going for hours longer!”

The first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Blankenbecler!

The bride and groom kept the dancing going late into the night.

Blake’s parents surprised the newlyweds with a vintage Rolls Royce to sweep them away at the end of the night.

“It was too much fun and it went by way too fast,” Blake says of her wedding day. For the week following their wedding, Blake and Jordan relaxed in the Bahamas. “It was lovely to get to slow down, unplug and spend time with each other as husband and wife! Wedding planning can be a lot in a good way, but we really enjoyed getting to escape and spend that time celebrating just the two of us!”

There is so much love between the newlyweds, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness!